Public Delivery Board Independent Chair Appointed

17 September 2015

As part of its commitment to public involvement and engagement, Health and Care Research Wales is happy to announce that Andrew Rix has been appointed through open national competition to become the independent public chair of the new Public Delivery Board.

Originally from Yorkshire, Andrew came to Wales as a student over 40 years ago, staying on to teach in Cardiff University and to found a research business employing more than 20 graduate staff and with clients throughout the UK. Andrew is an occupational psychologist by training and has experience of applying research in a number of settings. Married to a Health Visitor and with four grown up children, Andrew’s interests include woodworking and music.

On his appointment Andrew said:

“I see public involvement in health and care research as a two way street. The creation of a Public Delivery Board, to work alongside the more traditional research funding and scientific boards, is an exciting development which has the potential to make health and social care research in Wales more relevant to the public. It is also an opportunity for the research community to engage with the public and to involve them in their work. I look forward to working with the third sector, members of the public and the research community in Wales to develop a culture where the public is routinely involved in decisions about research and feels confident to take part in research which benefits us all.”

The Health and Care Research Wales Strategic Plan states our aim to ensure that public involvement and engagement is central to what we do and is visible in all elements of it. The creation of the public delivery board and the appointment of Andrew represent our ambition to be at the forefront of public involvement in health and care research, and our belief that co-production adds value to the research process at every stage.

The Public Delivery Board will provide advice to Health and Care Research Wales in relation to the public’s role in health and social care research. It will act as the champion of public interest in the direction, design and conduct of research and the public’s role in it, as well as providing oversight of HealthWise Wales. The first Public Delivery Board meeting will be held in autumn 2015.

Further information about HealthWise Wales can be found on their website.